Join Tim and John as they talk about life and study John Chapter 20 Verses 1-31
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction to John 20:1–31
From Grief to Glory: The Dawn of New Creation
The stone is rolled away. The tomb is empty.
John 20 takes us into the heart of the Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What began in sorrow at the cross now breaks into joyful astonishment as Jesus conquers death, confirms His identity, and commissions His followers.
This chapter is more than historical narrative—it is deeply personal and transformative. Each encounter with the risen Christ reveals a different kind of heart: the broken, the skeptical, the fearful. And in each case, Jesus meets them with grace, truth, and power.
Structure of John 20:"He is not here. He is risen."
This changes everything.
The grave couldn’t hold Him. Sin couldn’t defeat Him.
And now, He calls us to live in that same resurrection power.
The Stone Rolled Away, and Faith Awakening
The first sign of resurrection is not angels or trumpets—it’s an empty tomb. Quiet, confusing, and unexpected. For the earliest disciples, this wasn’t immediately joyful—it was perplexing, even alarming. But it was the beginning of a seismic shift: death had not won. Something unexplainable had happened… and hope was awakening.
1. Early Mourning Faithfulness (v. 1)“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark…”
Reflection: Mary came expecting to mourn. But her grief would become the first step toward joy.
2. Panic and Assumption (v. 2)“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
Insight: Resurrection wasn’t on their radar. Even those closest to Jesus struggled to believe at first.
3. A Race to the Tomb (vv. 3–4)“Peter and the other disciple went out toward the tomb. They both ran…”
Application: Our responses to mystery vary—some hesitate, some charge ahead. Jesus meets both.
4. What They Saw (vv. 5–7)“He saw the linen cloths lying there…”
Symbolism: Jesus’ resurrection is not chaotic. It's ordered, calm, intentional. He is in control even over death.
5. Belief Begins to Dawn (v. 8)“Then the other disciple… also went in, and he saw and believed.”
Encouragement: Sometimes belief comes in stages. God honors growing faith, even when understanding is incomplete.
“Then the disciples went back to their homes.”
Character
Response
Lesson
Mary Magdalene
Grief and confusion
Grief can be the doorway to encounter
Peter
Bold and impulsive
God meets the restless and repentant
John
Observant and believing
God honors reflective, growing faith
Reflection Questions:
From Weeping to Witnessing: Love Recognizes the Lord
This passage captures the first recorded encounter with the risen Jesus—and it happens not with a king or a priest, but with a weeping woman. Mary Magdalene’s grief is deep, her love is unwavering, and her name is the first to be called by the resurrected Christ.
1. Grief That Lingers (vv. 11–13)“Mary stood weeping outside the tomb… She saw two angels… ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’”
Application: Sometimes love keeps us in the pain longer—but also positions us for deeper revelation.
2. Jesus Appears—but Isn’t Recognized (v. 14)“She turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.”
Reflection: How often does Jesus stand near, and we don’t recognize Him in our sorrow?
3. The Personal Call (v. 16)“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’”
Theological Insight: Salvation is personal. The resurrection is not abstract—it calls us by name.
4. “Do Not Cling to Me” (v. 17)“Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended…”
Missional Shift: The resurrection launches a movement. Mary is called not to hold, but to go and tell.
5. The First Witness (v. 18)“Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord!’”
Gospel Power: Jesus chooses the unlikely to carry His name. He speaks first to the loyal, the broken, the faithful—and sends them to others.
Summary: When Jesus Calls Your NameMoment
Meaning
Mary’s tears
Show her love and longing
Jesus’ question
Invites reflection and revelation
Her name
Sparks recognition and faith
His words
Redirect her from clinging to proclaiming
Her witness
Becomes the foundation of resurrection testimony
Reflection Questions:
Peace, Presence, and Purpose in a Locked Room
From fear behind locked doors to being commissioned as ambassadors of grace—this moment marks a pivotal shift for the disciples. The risen Jesus comes not with rebuke, but with peace, proof, and power. What begins as a frightened gathering ends with the birth of a Spirit-empowered mission.
1. Behind Locked Doors (v. 19)“The doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews…”
Application: Jesus doesn’t wait for us to get it together. He walks into locked rooms—even those sealed by fear.
2. Jesus Stands Among Them (v. 19b)“Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’”
Reflection: The risen Christ brings peace—not by changing the world around us, but by entering into it.
3. Proof of Life (v. 20)“He showed them His hands and His side…”
Insight: Jesus doesn’t erase scars; He redeems them.
4. Repeated Peace and Renewed Purpose (v. 21)“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.”
Missional Shift: Resurrection is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of the Church’s calling.
5. Receiving the Spirit (v. 22)“He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
Theological Insight: The same Spirit who raised Jesus now begins to dwell in His followers. New life. New breath. New mission.
6. The Authority of Forgiveness (v. 23)“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them…”
Key Understanding: The Church becomes a channel of God’s grace, not its gatekeeper.
Summary: From Fear to Faithful WitnessGift from Jesus
Purpose
Peace
To calm their troubled hearts
Presence
To prove He is truly alive
Purpose
To send them as ambassadors
Power (Spirit)
To equip them for the mission
Permission (Forgiveness)
To extend His grace to others
Reflection Questions:
From Doubt to Devotion: “My Lord and My God”
Thomas is often remembered as “the doubter,” but this moment is far deeper than skepticism. It is the story of a disciple who longed for real evidence, and who, when met with grace and truth, made one of the most profound confessions in Scripture. Jesus doesn’t shame him—He meets him, and invites him to faith that sees beyond sight.
1. The Absent Disciple (v. 24)“Now Thomas… one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.”
Application: Faith struggles often grow in isolation. Stay near the fellowship of believers.
2. Skepticism and Conditional Belief (v. 25)“Unless I see… unless I touch… I will never believe.”
Reflection: Thomas doesn’t ask for more than the others received. His words reflect a hurting heart seeking something solid.
3. Jesus Meets Him Where He Is (v. 26–27)“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here… Do not disbelieve, but believe.’”
Insight: God is not afraid of your doubts. Jesus meets you in them, and gently leads you out of them.
4. The Greatest Confession (v. 28)“My Lord and my God!”
Devotion: Doubt turned to worship. Thomas is not rebuked for questioning—he is celebrated for responding.
5. A Blessing for Future Believers (v. 29)“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Encouragement: Your faith, though unseen, is not secondhand—it is part of Jesus’ plan all along.
Key Theme Five: The Purpose of the Book (John 20:30–31)Why John Wrote This Gospel: To Lead You to Life
John steps out of the narrative for a moment to tell us exactly why he wrote everything in this Gospel. It’s not just a biography—it’s an invitation.
1. A Selective Account (v. 30)“Now Jesus did many other signs… which are not written in this book.”
Note: This Gospel isn’t just for curiosity—it’s curated for transformation.
2. That You May Believe (v. 31)“But these are written so that you may believe…”
Theological Focus: This echoes John’s opening: the Word became flesh. The purpose is to know Him, trust Him, follow Him.
3. And That You May Have Life (v. 31b)“…and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
Life Application: What we believe shapes how we live. Belief in Jesus births a life that reflects resurrection hope.
Summary: From Skepticism to WitnessPerson/Section
Response to Jesus
Lesson
Thomas
“My Lord and my God”
Doubt is welcomed, and transformed into worship.
You (the reader)
“That you may believe…”
The Gospel invites personal response and eternal life.
Reflection Questions:
From the Empty Tomb to Full Hearts: The Victory That Changes Everything
John 20 takes us to the heart of the Gospel’s power—not just that Jesus died, but that He rose again, victorious over sin, death, and despair. It is a chapter filled with personal encounters, transformative moments, and faith that takes root in real lives.
From Mary Magdalene’s grief in the garden
to the disciples’ fear behind locked doors
to Thomas’ journey from doubt to worship—
every story shows us that the risen Jesus meets people right where they are.
Key Takeaways:
The resurrection of Jesus is not the end of His story—
it’s the beginning of ours.
It moves us from:
Now the question remains:
Do you believe?
Because believing changes everything.